The Sprout
Skatepark ideas
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 161 October 2021
The Sprout
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements,
Michael Cockman, Ag MacKeith, Robin Palmer
Editor
Ag MacKeith
South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk
Advertising Manager
Michael Cockman
50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Te l : 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk
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delivered to your door. Contact: Carol Kramer 01865 243002.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this
newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for
any errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not
a vehicle of the parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in
a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual
contributors.
All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid volunteers.
The Sprout is printed by Dataprint Ltd, and published by North
Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company limited by
guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.
It can also be found online at BotleyHinksey.org.uk
The Sprout
Issue 161, October 2021
Contents
3 Afghan Crisis
5 Botley School is Back
9 Skatepark Latest
10 New Parish Clerk Needed
11 Magic Sounds
13 Botley W.I. and Lunch Club
14 Tap Social Latest
15 Tale of a Tree
17 BMC Work in Progress
23 Botley Library Update
24 Apple Recipes
27 Cumnor Cricket Celebrates
29 Swamped by the Arc
31 Carmen Caldera
Give the Sprout Wings
33 Local Planning Apps
35 Glen Larder Exhibition
37 Oxford Area Quillers
38 October U3A Talks
43 Local organizations
From the Editor
As you can see from the long list above, things are opening up
again with a vengeance. We decided to sprinkle all those inviting
new activities throughout the pages, instead of collecting them all
at the end, so see the contents list for all that’s going on. Other
items of interest this month are an update from the Botley Medical
Centre, who continue to work on improving their service (p17), an
insight into the worrying implications of the proposed Oxford-
Cambridge Arc (p29), a cheering account of a local tree saved
against the odds (p15), and some apple recipes ready for Apple
Day on 17th October. Our cover shows skatepark designs under
scrutiny on 5th September (see page 9). Following on from the
public meeting on 25th September to explore what community
action can do to avert the climate crisis, next month’s issue will be
dedicated to local initiatives on this front.
Ag MacKeith
Afghan crisis how we can help
The lethargy brought
about whilst suffering
from the effects of
Covid forced me to my
sofa and a binge of
TV. Id not kept up
with the news much,
not least the
announced withdrawal
of U.S. and British
troops from
Afghanistan. I found
myself watching report
after report live from Kabul, the shocking images of Afgans clinging
to wings of planes and that baby being handed over to a U.S. solder.
How desperate must one be to do that with ones own child? As a
mother I could not process that. I felt unsettled.
As a family we’ve been helping Gazan Palestinians over the years
and have made many dear friends, some of whom have become like
family. It’s impossible to put into words the rewards experienced
from doing a small piece of good.
The last of our children has just left home so we have room in our
house to offer someone in need. Surely everyone has the right to a
safe and dignified life? But it’s not that simple. After some
investigation it’s clear this is going to be a waiting game, as people
need to be processed and matched to a family.
Tak in g s om e on e fr om a re fug ee background into my home is not
done light-heartedly and honestly I’m nervous, but I’ve experienced
the rewards of similar kindness in the past, so I’m up for it.
There are many ways people can help other than hosting, such as
donating goods, services, or your time, or lobbying your MP. If you
feel you may be able to offer a room to enable that person or family
to rebuild their lives, register at www.roomsforrefugees.com.
Transform a life and your life will be transformed. Here are some
useful addresses: www.positiveactions.org , www.refugeesathome.org;
www.unhcr.org/uk/supporting-refugees-in-the-uk
Fionnuala Maynard
Botley School is Back
As we start our new academic year at Botley School, I find myself
looking back on one of the most challenging years of my career.
During our assemblies last year we talked a lot about having a
positive mind-set and looking out for the good in every day. With that
in mind, I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on what we
managed to achieve, despite the challenges.
Foremost in my mind is the speed with which staff, pupils and
parents alike learnt new computing and IT skills in the world of
online remote learning. How brilliantly that was achieved was
demonstrated by the accelerated progress our children made, which
we measured in the assessments we carried out in July. This
progress was made despite the gloomy predictions that our children
were going to fall behind in their learning.
We creatively refashioned traditional events for a socially distanced
world. There was our Lantern Parade around the Quad; those
Christmas performance videos shared online; the virtual author visits
and competitions on World Book Day; Comic Relief fundraising;
remote Whole School Assemblies every week; the Macmillan Coffee
Morning; and the Remembrance Day assembly and other activities,
to name just a few.
We also managed to squeeze in a visit from our local MP, Layla
Moran, at the beginning of July,
linking in to our recent work on
democracy and the Year 6
transition project on the
environment. The children’s
questions were mature and
insight fu l and demonstrated how
much children do want to
understand the world around
them.
The giant pumpkin the children grew in
Forest School lessons. We are hoping
to carve it for Hallowe’en.
And now we are looking forward to the year ahead. The first week
back was a joyous start for a number of reasons: the children are
collaborating in groups again, we can gather as a school for
assembly and sing our welcome song. We have been able to
reintroduce hot school meals in the dining hall. The school was a
calm, happy and focussed place of learning and the children came
back and settled into their new classes and routines beautifully.
With fewer restrictions we are also hoping to create more chances to
bring our community back together face to face. We are looking
forward to holding performances and fundraising events, and to
restarting our clubs and enrichment programmes. We are delighted
that Botley Bridges are now back on site and holding regular family
sessions again. Soon we will be able to restart parent and adult
learning classes in our Caterpillars community room. Over the
summer break the hall and canteen were decorated, making the
start to this new school year seem brighter and fresh!
Finally, we would like to discuss our School Vision and Values with
our parents and the local community. Invita tio n s to a consultation
evening in November will be sent out over the next few weeks. We
are hoping for inp u t from local organizations and community leaders
from different faiths, so please do keep an eye out for them .
But for now, welcome to the new school year. We look forward to
keeping you updated on all our adventures here at Botley School.
Jo Reid, Headteacher
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Oh, yes you do!”
If you are looking for something different to do this autumn/winter,
there might be an opportunity to join West Oxford's 10th Pantomime.
They have been looking for Dames, leading ladies, comedy double
acts and anybody with lots of enthusiasm. No previous experience
necessary.
There are parts for children (from Year 2 upwards), teenagers and
adults. If you are not comfortable on the stage, why not volunteer
for a back stage role such as costume making, hair and make up,
prop making, etc, etc
It is a lovely opportunity to work as part of a team, make new friends
and most importantly have fun! Register online www.wopa.me
Auditions were in September, but it might not be too late. Worth an
ask, anyway.
Our new Skatepark
The Botley Bowl Skatepark Campaign gained momentum as we
shared our plans and ideas at the pop-up cafe on September 5th.
The event was well attended by Botley locals and those from further
afield who are excited and curious about the potential of the bowl
coming back to Botley. Skaters from Eynsham and Oxford Wheels
Project and even some of the people who were part of the original
Botley bowl came to offer their support and advice.
The public were asked to complete a survey, indicating the features
and style they would prefer. From the survey, the pop-up cafe and
professional advice we've had we'll produce a design brief to put be-
fore the parish council to approve, and move forward with the ten-
dering process.
From a personal point of view this was an incredible event that
reminded me why this is such an important facility to bring back to
Botley. I used to live on Cedar road back in the 80s and 90s when
the original skatepark was built. I was 8 or 9 at the time, and a bit
younger than the other kids who were part of the campaign for the
original bowl. My friends and I couldn't believe how lucky we were
and how special we thought Botley was that a skatepark would be
put up in our area!
There were regular skate events held there and at Botley school. On
any given day we could see professional skaters from around the
UK the world, even come to Botley to share their skills. For us it
was inspirational, somewhere we could go anytime to chal-
lenge ourselves, learn from each other and have fun. It inspired me
to take up one of the most difficult but rewarding sports around.
Skateboarding is hard! To get good you need determination to
keep getting back up when you fall. Bravery to push yourself to drop
in for the first time. Creativity to discover new tricks and new lines
around the park. Practice, you need to practise a lot! What perhaps I
loved the best is the community we found there with older kids and
adults teaching younger riders the many techniques you need to get
good and to be safe.
Botley really had something amazing back then that wasn't probably
appreciated by any of us until now. Having moved away when I
went to University then coming back to Botley to start a family I was
heartbroken to find one the very best things about Botley was no
longer there. Long story short, this is why I'm here and why we have
an enthusiastic working group pushing to create a sport facility to put
Botley back on the map and inspire our children to get out and chal-
lenge themselves, and learn new skills, and make new friends.
Next step is to get the tender process under way, approve a design,
appoint a contractor and raise the funds?!! We'll be back for your
support on all of these points and welcome any new comers to sup-
port the working group.
Francis Prime
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NORTH HINKSEY PARISH COUNCIL SEEKS FULL-TIME
CLERK AND RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
Could you be our new Clerk and RFO, working with North Hinksey Parish
Council to deliver exciting projects and services for our dynamic
community? NHPC is seeking a committed professional who is keen to
help us achieve our ambitious vision, including providing new leisure
facilities and becoming a carbon-neutral community.
We are looking for someone with attention to detail, proficiency in
Microsoft Office (primarily Word and Excel), experience with
financial/accounting practises, a friendly and professional communication
style, and excellent organisational and time-management skills. CiLCA
qualification and work experience within Local Government are highly
desirable, but the Council will support the successful candidate in any
further training needed.
Hours: 37 per week (could be job share)
Location: North Hinksey Parish Council office, West Way
Centre (https://northhinksey-pc.gov.uk/)
Salary: falling within NJC pay scales 21 to 28, plus pension
Start date: 1st November 2021 or as soon as possible thereafter
Contact: To discuss the role further, contact Cllr Caroline Potter
(Chair of NHPC): cllr.caroline.potter@gmail.com , 07590
194768
To ap p ly: Download the application form and Job Description at:
https://northhinksey-pc.gov.uk/2021/09/could-you-be-our-new-clerk/
Email your completed application form and CV, showing how you meet the
required skills and experience as outlined in the Job Description, to Cllr Potter at
the above email address.
Magic Sounds
Monkey Music Oxford have
come to Botley. They
launched their award-
winning classes in the new
Seacourt Hall in September.
This is how they describe
their programme: “We
introduce small babies from
three months into a gently
paced session with other
little ones of similar age,
keeping class numbers low
and intimate, so that carers
and babies often become
friends for life. Babies are captivated by magic sounds, and find
opportunities to discover they too can make music with instruments
which are perfectly sized for little hands. There is lots of parental
involv e ment. We listen to rhymes together, sing along, and help our
little ones to develop their emotional, social, language and physical
skills. As the babies grow, so they progress through tailor-made
music classes, to become
inquisitive toddlers and
then more independent
children who will be even
more ready for nursery or
big school having had such
a fun learning experience
at Monkey Music. Our 30-
minute classes are packed
with age-appropriate
activities to keep all the
family engaged, with many
great resources to
stimulate the children’s
natural desire to learn and be little sponges, absorbing so much
from the vast range of traditional and original songs, musical games
and busy movement activities. The first class is free and can be
booked through their website: www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/oxford
or email enquiries to oxford@monkeymusic.co.uk .
BOTLEY W.I.
Our speaker on 5th October will be Christine Ramsey, talking about
Flowers (she will Zoom, we shall be in the hall) visitors are always
welcome!
The monthly walking, green-ish fingers, craft, music and book
groups will have events too. Contact 07598 251161 for details or
see our Facebook page, Botley WI.
Quiz night and Ploughman’s Supper on Saturday 23rd October,
7pm, maximum six to a team; £8 per person, bring your own drink.
Call 01865 245273 to book. .
Car boot/tabletop sale 11:00--13:30 on October 10th, at Botley WI
hall, North Hinksey Lane, OX2 0LT. £10 per table or car park space.
Outside if fine, indoors if wet. Refreshments available. Call 01865
245273 to book your space. Advance notice: Christmas Fair, 28
November. Alison Jenner
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BOTLEY SENIORS LUNCH CLUB
I’m pleased to report that Botley Seniors Lunch
Club successfully opened its doors again on
Thursday 9th September.
Keeping Covid-19 precautions in mind, the
volunteers cheerfully prepared and served a 2-
course lunch for the 36 diners who came to the
Seacourt Hall to meet friends and chat over a
meal. It was lovely to see so many regulars as
well as welcome a few new faces after the
longest break in the nearly 50 year-old history of the club. A
favourite meal of sausage meat pie, mashed potatoes, carrots and
peas, followed by meringue nests served with whipped cream,
strawberries and grapes seemed to go down a treat amidst lively
chatter from the elderly diners.
If you would like to join in with the Seniors Lunch Club sessions,
they are held fortnightly, on alternate Thursdays, always in the
Seacourt Hall. Be there at 12.00 for lunch at 12.30, and please ring
Jackie Warner on 01865 721386 to check that there is a place
available before you come for the first time. Viv Smith
Tap Social Movement
Whats been happening at Botleys own Tap Social Movement,
based in Curtiss Yard? The place that’s been consoling us since
2016 for the loss of four of Botley’s five pubs?
Well, they have grown and flourished, despite the pandemic, to such
a degree that we now find we must share them with Banbury and
South Oxford. Ours no longer! And only open now for three days a
week. The opening hours are Thursday from 5 to 11pm, Fridays
from 4 till 12, and Saturdays between 2 and 12.
Still, they continue to host a wide range of events including live
music, charity fundraisers, yoga classes, food trucks & festivals,
cinema nights, etc. And there’s usually some form of street food, in
case you suddenly don’t feel like cooking. Did anyone go to the
Waste to Taste jamboree on 26th September, that marked the end of
Oxfordshire’s contribution to the Great Big Green Week? (If so,
please feel free to send us a review!)
This year, Tap took over the White House pub on the Abingdon
Road. The new space, open 7 days/week, is a community cafe, bar
and kitchen, serving seasonal food and all day brunch, speciality
coffee and their own locally
brewed beer (amongst other
guest beers and drinks). They
also opened a new bar in
Banbury's Lock29, where they
sit as anchor tenant in a vibrant
food and market mixed-use
space. Could be worth a trip.
The good news is that, as a
result, they have been able to
expand the employment
opportunities available for those
who have come into contact
with the criminal justice system.
People from prison can now
work across a range of jobs in
brewing and packaging,
delivery driving, front of house
hospitality, and cooking/baking.
Tale of a Tree
I’m telling this tale, not to blow my own trumpet for having done a
good deed for once, but to show that citizen action really can work.
Here’s what happened. Walking back from the shops one Monday
afternoon, I turned into North Hinksey Lane where the roadworks
are now under way, and noticed a yellow line drawn across the
grass. I asked if they were planning to cut a trench there, as it would
be a pity to damage the roots of the young oak tree that is doing so
well on that patch. Well, no, said the kindly man in charge of the
team, but it wouldn’t matter anyway. That tree’s coming down on
Wednesday. ‘WHAT!” I gasped. “You can’t be serious! It’s doing so
well. It’s such a nice shape! I watered it when it was just a stick.”
Well, he was very sympathetic, but what could he do?
I went home and got on with the things I had to do, but that night I
woke up at about 3.30am, so boiling with rage and grief at the
pointless loss of a healthy young tree in the name of greening the
road, what’s more that I couldn’t sleep. So I got out my phone and
sent an email to Andy Warren, in charge of the Botley Corridor road
improvement scheme. I said that if I’d noticed that was on the plan,
I’d have opposed it with all my strength. I asked if alternative routes
had been considered, urged the good work the tree was doing in
reducing noise and pollution, and asked him to copy my letter to the
County Tree Officer. I decided there and then that I’d sit by the tree
and defy the chainsaw on Wednesday, and sent a letter to the
Oxford Mail saying so.
To c ut a lo ng s tor y sh o rt , I ha d a n e m ai l la te r th a t m or ni ng sa yi n g th e
matter was being looked into. And one from the Tree Officer saying
he’d like to phone me, could I send my number. When he rang half
an hour later it was to say that Andy Warren had called off the felling
while the other options were looked at. He himself had opposed the
destruction of the tree last January. And then, on the Monday
following, I had a further email from Andy Warren saying that on
reflection, they had tweaked the bike path and would keep the tree.
The moral of this story is this: when you see something happening
that you really feel is a mistake, don’t just shout and tear your hair.
Try calling your local councillor, because they just might know who
to contact. It’s knowing where to target your efforts that makes all
the difference. Ag MacKeith
Botley Medical Centre Work in Progress
NOW
Livi appointments live from 1st September: BMC patients can
now access digital appointments with a Livi GP through their smart
phones or computer. Livi doctors can offer medical advice along with
prescriptions delivered to a pharmacy near you. This increases the
appointments offered to our patients by 100 per week. You should
have received a text containing a link to download the app. Our
website has more information about the system. At the practice we
have leaflets, other material and our receptionists can tell you more.
If you are our patient and you didn’t receive the text, we don’t
have your current phone number. Please provide your updated
contact details by going to the Quick Links / Online Services in
the right-hand sidebar at our website.
Call back system: works well for patients, thank you to the PPG for
passing on this feedback. A very long wait for a call-back was
reported following the late August Bank Holiday. We had over 300
calls that morning. More calls than usual come after a weekend,
doubly so after a long weekend, so please avoid calling at those
times if possible while we remain short-staffed. You may have to wait
longer for a call-back during busy times. We’re monitoring the time it
takes to receive a call back and will provide an update next month.
Temporary closures of Kennington reception: occasionally, we
have to close the Kennington reception from 4pm. Planned
appointments will still be available. Please check in using the
electronic check-in system as usual.
Who can I see at BMC and how?
A guide to our services and how to book them:
At BMC appointments with the following clinical staff can be made,
subject to availability:
GPs, Nurses, Health Care Assistants, Midwife, Physician’s Associ-
ates, Paramedics, First Contact Physiotherapist, Clinical Pharma-
cists, Care Coordinators, Social Prescribers, Primary Care
Healthcare workers (from Mind), and we are recruiting a Mental
Health Practitioner.
Please give the receptionist a brief description of your clinical needs
so that they can book you an appointment with the most appropriate
clinician. Call after 11am to book an appointment with a clinician
other than the GPs, for up to 46 weeks in advance.
GP appointments:
Currently, you can only book appointments with a GP on the day
by calling early in the day.
You can also book an appointment online to see a GP face to
face. Please request online access at the practice. Once it is set
up, download the PatientAccess app on to your smartphone, tab-
let or home computer. Please follow a number of steps, including
information to identify yourself. When your account is set up you
will be able to log in safely and securely. This service can only be
used for ‘on the day’ appointments after 8am and will only offer a
slot if one is available that day. Five appointments are reserved
per GP per day. Please book an appointment this way if you can.
Blood test results can also be seen through the app.
Healthcare services you can book independently:
You can refer yourself to the following NHS services in Oxfordshire,
without a GP appointment first:
For muscle- or joint-relates issues, Healthshare’s physio service
is here: https://healthshare.org.uk/refer-patient/
For Adults with mild or moderate depression and anxiety, Talk-
ingSpacePlus provides the IAPT service here:
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/talkingspaceplus/
Recruitment Update: recruiting has been slow over the holiday
season. Some excellent students who worked with us over the
summer have moved on. A medical secretary, social prescriber and
two Mind workers will join the team shortly. We continue to prioritise
recruitment as vacancies remain.
NEXT
CQC update: CQC are pleased with our progress and will soon pub-
lish a report about our recent interim inspection.
Flu vaccinations: Flu jabs are delayed. We are waiting to hear
when they will be delivered. We will receive notification seven days
before delivery and set up Saturday clinics on both sites to deliver
them. We will send a text message and put a notification on our
website when you can call in to make the appointment. People who
happen to be seeing a Nurse / HCAs / Physician Associate or GP
during this period will be offered a flu jab at the same time, if appro-
priate.
Covid Booster vaccinations: will be delivered in line with national
decisions. We await further information.
LATER
There will be a fresh CQC inspection towards the year-end. Mean-
while, the PPG Executive have suggested this Q&A section:
Q. How do I find out who my registered GP is?
A. Ask when you call for an appointment, or find their name on your
prescription.
Q. What if patients need to use more than 100 Livi appointments a
week?
A. Livi expects a lot of use in the first few weeks and will deliver
these appointments flexibly. There is no hard cut-off at the
100th appointment.
Q. What vacancies are there at the Practice?
A. We have vacancies for 4 GPs, 1 nurse, 5 receptionists.
Q. How many doctors are full time?
A. All four current GPs are full time, and currently work longer than
normal hours to cover the vacancies.
Q. What’s the best way to order repeat prescriptions?
A. Through your pharmacist, or using patient access, via email to
botleymedicalcentre@nhs.net, paper forms. Please order as far in
advance as you can while we are short-staffed.
The Next PPG meeting will
be on Tuesday October 12th
at 6pm and will include a
presentation on non-GP staff
available for consultation.
Please email our secretary
csugden@ocrpl.org for the
Zoom link.
Chris Sugden
Botley Library Information
We’re so pleased to say that our opening hours have
reverted to the pre-Covid ones which are: Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am to 5.30pm;
Wednesday Closed; Friday 9.30am to 7.00pm and
Saturday 9.30am to 1.00pm. Our email:
botley.library@oxfordshire.gov.uk or you can phone
us on 07922 849680.
Now that the Autumn has arrived it’s time to stock up
on some books for those cosy nights to come! Don’t
forget you can download ebooks too with our library
app. You can also visit the library pages on
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk to see what else there is to
offer. Do you know that you can access the daily newspapers on-line
with Pressreader and also stream music with Naxos? Please ask a
member of staff for more details.
In half-term, October 25th to 29th, there will be spooky crafts to
make in time for your Halloween decorations. All supplies will be
provided, but children will need an adult in tow.
If you haven’t yet visited the library then please do pay us a visit. It
has been so lovely to see our regular customers coming back and
we look forward to welcoming new ones! You will see the familiar
members of staff, but we also have some lovely new colleagues too.
Botley Library Staff
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BOTLEY APPLE DAY
South View House
Old Botley OX2 0JR
SUNDAY 17th OCTOBER
3pm 5pm
Are apples going to waste in your garden? Bring and share them at
Botley Apple Day. People-powered apple press to turn bruised apples
and leftovers into juice. Apples identified. Apple recipes and storage
ideas. Bring knives, juice containers. No apples? Just come anyway. Fun
for all the family! Phone 01865 724452 for details or just turn up
Apple recipes
This year's crop has come rather late, and was somewhat affected
by late frosts and unseasonable downpours, but there is still enough
to enjoy. There’s no sign of the usual Oxfordshire Apple Days, just
Waterperry, which is hosting Not the Apple Day on the weekend of
9th and 10th October, 10-4pm.
“Because of the unusual climatic changes,” they explain, “apple
weekend will not be the same as usual. So, instead of an abun-
dance of apples cascading off our tables for you to taste and buy,
we will be concentrating on tours and education showing the visitor
in a very real and practical way the challenges the orchard team
face. Our guests should get an insight into the life cycle of the apple
tree, the wonders of grafting, the reason for pruning, and the
measures we are now putting into place to try and ensure we have a
good harvest in the future. You will be able to see juice being made,
taste our wonderful single variety juices and ask questions of the
experts.” Go to www.waterperrygardens.co.uk to book.
Our own Apple Day will be on 17th October (see previous page).
Apple and beer fritters, adapted from Sue Clifford and Angela
King's excellent Apple Source Book. Whisk 150ml beer, 110g self-
raising flour and 1 tablespoon sugar together to form a thick batter.
Leave to stand for an hour. Cut four eating apples into slices, dip
them in flour, shake off excess, dip them into the batter several
slices at a time, and deep fry until golden.
Baked apples: Remove the cores from four large
apples. Fill the holes with raisins and chopped
almonds. Place a small knob of butter on top
of each filled hole. Drizzle on some golden
syrup, and pour some water into the dish
so they don’t dry out. Bake for about 40
minutes at 180C.
Apple cobbler, a variant on apple crumble
adapted from Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's River Cottage Year.
Peel, core and slice 1.5 kilos of cooking apples. Simmer gently with
150g sugar and a couple of tablespoons of water until a smooth
puree is formed, about 15 minutes. Pour into a large ovenproof
dish. Make the cobbler topping by mixing together into a soft dough
100g self-raising flour, 100ml milk and 75g butter that has been
gently warmed so that the butter melts, 1 teaspoon lemon juice,
100g ground almonds and 50g sugar. Place the topping on the
apples in large, evenly-spaced spoonfuls. Bake for about 30
minutes at 180C and let cool slightly before serving.
Apple-cheese pancakes: An American recipe based on the
Moosewood Cookbook. Mix together 1 cupful cottage or ricotta
cheese, 1 packed cupful of grated apples, ¾ cupful of flour, 1
tablespoon of sugar, 4 egg yolks, and any combination that you
fancy of lemon juice, chopped almonds, cinnamon and salt. Beat 4
egg whites until they are stiff, and fold gently into the batter. Fry in
butter on both sides until the pancakes are brown.
Barbequed apple slices: Stir together 3 tablespoons of melted
butter, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Add
two tart eating apples, sliced, and stir until the slices are fully coated.
Wrap the slices in aluminium foil, place on a barbeque grill, and cook
for 30 minutes until soft and caramelised.
Riki Therivel
Celebrating in Style
Cumnor Cricket Club marked its 125th anniversary in style with fun
for all the family at Park Field.
A junior cricket festival, BBQ, bouncy castle and exhibition cricket
match attracted around 500 people across August's Bank Holiday
Sunday. The event also hosted a lively performance from the Cum-
nor Mayor's Band, Five O'clock Somewhere, before the evening was
capped off with a superb fireworks
display from Storm Fireworks.
The club would like to thank the
Cumnor community for dropping by
throughout the day. It was really
great to see so many new faces
who hadn't been down to the cricket
club before. Our raffle and auction
raised some much-needed funds for
our club, which we plan to put to-
wards refurbishing the clubhouse
bar. The feedback has been really
positive from all who attended, so
the event may become an annual
one watch this space!
David Clapton
Swamped by the Arc
Government is consulting on the ‘Ox-Cam Arc’ until 12 October
please make your voice heard!
The Ox-Cam Arc is a Government plan to increase the total number of
jobs, houses and people in Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Northants and Oxon
by more than 60% by 2050 to help “achieve the area’s full economic
potential”. This would mean 1.1 million more jobs, one million more
homes and about two million more people in the area: the equivalent of
almost two new Oxfords in Oxfordshire.
The government documents do not mention this scale of growth. They
imply that the Arc can do everything: provide great economic growth
AND a wonderful environment AND make everyone healthy and happy.
But we know that isn’t possible. Doubling the area of built-up land will
definitely affect the environment. A focus on high-tech jobs will leave
many people behind.
Government argues that the ‘agglomeration effect’ of linking the high-
tech centres of Oxford and Cambridge will be ‘transformative’ in terms
of economic growth. However this will require rapid transport links,
vastly increasing the number of car journeys across the region. Covid
has shown that Zoom allows people to work anywhere, so why do we
need a vast physical ‘Arc’?
Government has also not considered whether other areas would benefit
more from rapid growth as part of ‘levelling up’. An independent study
considered five ‘alternative Arcs’ (Leeds BradfordHuddersfield,
ManchesterSalfordBolton, NewcastleSunderlandTe es s id e, De rb y
Nottingham, and WolverhamptonBirminghamCoventry) and found
them all to be more sustainable and more economically beneficial than
the Ox-Cam scheme.
Government is deciding our future in almost total secrecy. Plans for an
Ox-Cam Arc have been around for years, but this is the first public
consultation on it.
If all of this bothers you or, equally, if you are in favour of
transformative growth in Oxfordshire please FIRST fill in an
alternative survey which gives more information on the points above
(tinyurl.co m /5 M in A rc S ur ve y) and THEN fill in the official survey with
plenty of comments in the ‘anything else to add’ boxes. Useful
background information and suggestions on how to fill in the
Government consultation can be found at
https://tinyurl.com/OCAsurveyhelp. Riki Therivel
A
Carmen Caldera
Carmen’s beautiful book of black and white photos of local families,
Botley Under Lockdown, has now been printed, and will be
presented to Botley Library this autumn at an event to be
announced. Carmen herself has abandoned the Law, and launched
her new career as a family portrait and event photographer. Yo u c a n
find details of events and prices along with a gallery of photographs
on carmencalderaphotography.com . The Sprout wishes Carmen
every success in her new vocation.
Give the Sprout wings
Now life is starting to return to our patch, the Sprout would welcome
some new writers and artists. Could anyone manage a comic strip,
or a cartoon? Are there any scouts or brownies who’d like to earn a
journalism badge? please get in touch. We once had a children’s
corner, a gardening column, and a regular recipe slot. Would anyone
like to take on any of these again? All ideas and suggestions
seriously considered by editor@thesprout.org.uk and the editorial
team.
LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P21/V2187/FUL
The Willows 4 Yarnells Rd.
Demolish existing house & build 6 x
2 bedroom & 1 x 2 bedroom flats.
5 August
TDD: 30 Sept
P21/V2188/HH
4 Chelsie House 104 West Way.
Erect a double garage.
9 August
TDD: 4 Oct
P21/V2309/FUL
3A Cumnor Hill. Change of use
from small HMO to two dwellings.
9 August
TDD: 4 Oct
P21/V2329/HH
34 Beech Rd. Single storey rear
extension, loft conversion with rear
flat roof dormer, home office in
back garden + paving for parking at
front.
11 August
Target
Decision Date:
6 October
P21/V2400/LDP
36 Westminster Way. Certificate of
lawfulness for conversion from
residential dwelling to House in
Multiple Occupation (HMO),
maximum of 6 people.
18 August
TDD: 13 Oct
P21/V2370/HH
and
P21/V2372/LB
Old Manor House, 20 North
Hinksey Lane. Conservation
repairs to windows & other features
internally and externally. Some
historical works are also cited.
19 August
TDD: 14 Oct
P21/V2462/FUL
West Way Junction of North
Hinksey Lane. Replace existing
15m monopole and cabinets with
20m monopole, 12 antenna, & 4
equipment cabinets
25 August
TDD: 20 Oct
P21/V2096/HH
15 Yarnells Rd. Construction of
single storey side extension.
31 August
TDD: 26 Oct
Oxford, Venice and other works by Glenn Larder
Botley Arts' current exhibition features a variety of works by Glenn
Larder, including views of Oxford, flowers and fantastic creatures.
Here’s how he describes his career to date:
I started painting back in
the 1970s when living in
London. The medium I
used in those days was
coloured inks. I didn't be-
come a regular painter for
many years, more of an
occasional dabbler, just
picking up my brushes
from time to time. I didn't
have any formal training
and often thought about
getting involved in an art
course but never took the
idea any further, a source
of considerable regret
now.
About eight or nine years
ago I finally enrolled for
art classes with Abingdon
and Witney College, and
up to the start of the pan-
demic I was attending
these classes on a regular basis. I am hoping they will resume later
this year. I have had my paintings hanging in a number of group ex-
hibitions, but this is my first solo exhibition and I’m very grateful to
Botley Arts for giving me this opportunity.The picture shows a self
portrait entitled, after Tennyson [The mirror cracked from] Side to
Side.
The exhibition is on view in the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
until mid November.
Oxford Area Quillers
Our regular monthly meetings have resumed, and we have also had
a very successful exhibition as part of Oxford Open Doors at County
Hall. During this exhibition it came to our notice that many people
didn’t know our group existed. We seem to have been “hiding our
light under a bushel”, so we would like to apologise for this and
hopefully be able to periodically provide some information for “The
Sprout”. Our next monthly meeting is on Saturday 2nd October at
Botley WI Hall in North Hinksey Lane. We meet from around 10.30
(people arriving from about 10 in order to get a cup of tea and chat
before we start properly) and finishing around 3pm. The club is very
flexible in that people can leave at lunchtime if they don’t want to
stay longer. The first meeting/lesson is free to see if you like it, all
we ask is that you bring your own packed lunch and a cup for a
drink. Everything is provided for the first session. After that if you
enjoy quilling and would like to join us, the cost is £6 each session to
cover the hire of the hall. Should you decide to take up the hobby,
materials can be bought from the club at cost price (or less). If you
are interested in coming along or finding out more then please
contact Dilly Aspland at dillyquillers@yahoo.com or phone Jenny
Green on 01993 703910. If you’re wondering what all this is about,
we now have a Facebook page where you can see pictures of our
work.
Angela Arnold
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mystery Object
Have you ever seen one of these?
At Oxford Open Doors, for
instance (clue).
What could it possibly be?
Suggestions to the Editor at
editor@thesprout.org.uk
U3A Talks for October
U3A talks are on the second and fourth Mondays of each month, at
2.30pm.
Monday 11th October: 150 Years of the London Underground by
Mark Ovenden. Mark is an author and BBC presenter and producer.
He will focus on the design, architecture, cartography and signage
used in transport.
Monday 25th October: Lady Poisoners of Victorian England by Da-
vid Allen. Our speaker's life as a solicitor, actor and storyteller has
enabled him to research and deliver a great range of macabre tales.
Zoom presentations will continue to the end of November; they may
be viewed at home or at Dean Court Community Centre.
From January 2022 the talks will be given by the speakers in person
at Dean Court back to normal at last.
Hugh Manson
Organizations: If your organization is not listed here, please send details
to editor@thesprout.org.uk or telephone 724452 for inclusion.
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 67.30 Jean
Metson, firstbotleybrownies@gmail.com
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison
Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com
mail@thefourth.org.uk Website:
http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
Fridays, Cubs 6.30-8, Scouts 8-9.30, 1 Church Way, Botley
Amy Cusden (Cubs) 07887 654386, Tom Freeman (Scouts)
07837 623768 xvoxfordscouts@yahoo.co.uk
Tues/Thurs 9.1511, SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry
Clark 0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com
Wants to connect Botley to Eynsham. Meets every 6-8
weeks. Contact via website B4044path.org
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@sky.com or Brendan
Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com
Thursdays, 3.30 to 5.30 at St P&P Church Hall, West
Way, contact us via Facebook or email
botleylarder@gmail.com
01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Alternate Thursdays. Seacourt Hall. Jackie Warner Ox721386
Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela
Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com
Rehearsals Friday 7.45 to 9.45 pm John May 07795 054142
or www.cumnorchoralsociety.wordpress.com
Thurs 79pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or phone 01865
721026
Wed 7.30 at Appleton Village Hall. C. Casson 01235 831352
or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org,
call 863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Family club Email: Tennis@OxfordSportsLTC.org
Weds 2pm, WOCC, Emily 07969 522368 or email
emformusic@outlook.com
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare clubs
MonFri 7.45am6.00 pm. Tel 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 10 12.00 W.I. Hall Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volunteers
Meets at weekends Contact Voirrey Carr
07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match/ Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Parish Council
Sharon Henley, clerk@northhinksey-pc.gov.uk
N Hinksey Youth Club
Weds at LM pavilion, Daz: 07791 212866 or F’book
Oxford Flood Alliance
R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035
Oxford Flower Arranging Club
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: Ox 865259
Oxford Harmony Men's
Acappella singing group
Meets Wednesdays 7.45 pm at Seacourt Hall, Con-
tact pro@oxfordharmony.co.uk
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays,
twice monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
raleighpark@raleighp ark.o rg.uk
Saturdads at
Botley Bridges
Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s
10 amnoon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955
Seacourt Hall Management
Committee
Michael Cockman 07766 317691
michael.cockman@gmail.com.
Shotokan Karate Club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Walking for Health
2nd & 4th Saturdays 9.50 Louie Memorial Field car
park, Arnolds Way. Alan 07941 610913
West Oxford Bowls Club
Contact details on
www.westoxfordbowlsclub.co.uk
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
01865 570291 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
West Way Day Centre
Mon & Fri 103pm, Field House, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Women’s Institute (Botley)
Alison Jenner 07598 251161
alisonjenner@yahoo.com
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Banso tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
Baptist Hall
West Way Place
Contact: Rev Kalyan Das
Te l . 0 7 8 4 1 8 6 7 9 6 7
The Rosary Room
Yarnells Hill, Elms Rise
Contact Maria Brown,
Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 7 9 8 6 .
SS Peter & Paul Church
Hall, West Way, Botley
Contact: 01865 242057 or
osneybenefice@outlook.com.
Women's Institute Hall,
North Hinksey Lane
Contact: Val Warner
Te l . 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 5 2 7 3
Seacourt Hall, West
Way Place, Botley
Contact: Lottie White on 07452 960100,
or email admin@seacourthall.org.uk
Pavilion, Arnold’s Way,
Elms Rise, Botley
Contact: Darren Blase 241254
louiememorialpav ilion@gmail.com
Oxford Rugby Club,
North Hinksey Village
Contact:. Mary Bagnall
mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.
North Hinksey & Botley Churches
Times of Services (once resumed) and Contacts
St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane
1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday, Sung Eucharist 11.30 a.m.
3 rd Sunday, Matins 11.30 am
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way
2nd Saturday each Month, 46pm Messy Church for children and their carers
1st Sunday of the Month, 9.30am All Age service of Holy Communion
All other Sundays, 9.30am Holy Communion with activities for children
Every Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion at Field House
Rev Clare Sykes, Tel. 01865 242345 or revclare@btinternet.com
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Roman Catholic, Ya r n e l l s Hill
Saturday 6.30 pm. Mass
Sunday 9.15 am Mass
Fr Daniel Lloyd. 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Botley Baptist Church, West Way Place
Sunday Service 10.30 am.
Mid Week House Group 8.00 p.m.
Family Worship Service 5 -6pm on Saturday
R ev Kalyan Das 07841 867967 www.botleybaptistchurch.org
Calvary Chapel
Sunday services held at Botley School 10.3012 noon
Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498
calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk;
www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk
Sprout
October 2021
Thur 7th 12 for 12.30, Seacourt Hall, Botley Seniors Lunch
Club
Sun 10th 11-1.30 pm , W.I. Hall, North Hinksey Lane, Car Boot
Sale
Mon 11th 2.30, U3A talk, Via Zoom at home or at Dean Court
Community Centre: 150 years of the London Underground
Tues 1 2th 6pm via Zoom, BMC Patients Participation
Group meeting. Email csugden@ocrpl.org for the link.
Thur 14th 7.30pm, Seacourt Hall, N Hinksey Parish Council
meeting
Sun 17th 35pm, South View House, Botley Apple Day
Thur 21st Seniors Lunch club, as above.
Mon 25th 2.30, U3A talk, Via Zoom at home or at Dean Court
Community Centre: Lady Poisoners of Victorian England
Half term week 25th-29th Spooky Crafts for kids at Botley
Library.
More local events and information on www.botleyhinksey.org.uk